Hollywood loves to integrate dystopian worlds with youth-based stories. And the popularity of movies like The Darkest Minds somewhat proves that the formula works.
With most of them based on young adult novels, their stories present seemingly hopeless scenarios where children and teens navigate their lives, often with difficulty. For The Darkest Mind, the challenge lies in being imprisoned for having superpowers as a result of an outbreak of a contagious disease. While thereās power in the narrative, darkness somewhat follows.
Want to know similarly-themed youth films? Then read on to find out my recommended movies like The Darkest Minds.
10 Powerful & Dystopian Movies Like The Darkest Minds
Ā 1. Divergent (2014)
In a divided society, a teen discovers she doesnāt fit in any existing faction, as she exhibits traits far superior than these established divisionsāmaking her an automatic threat.
Shailene Woodley brings Veronica Rothās novel character Tris Prior to life in this post-apocalyptic tale of teens being trained to fit in a specific role in society. Those who oppose such roles would be deemed as enemiesāindeed quite a dark scenario for teens who feel the need to rebel.
Divergent might be too dark for younger audiences, but older teens could resonate with its themes of belongingness and peer pressure.
2. I Am Number Four (2011)
An alien, who looks like an ordinary teenager, hides in the confines of a typical high school when evil pursuers track him down and threaten to kill him and people in his new-found life.
Alex Pettyfer is Number Four in this sci-fi series based on the young adult novel of the same name. The film successfully blends a budding teen romance story and a high-adrenalin conflict with dark forces. Smallville director DJ Caruso brings another superpower teen story to life.
Adapted movies like The Darkest Minds might bear comparisons to the novels, but this cinematic interpretation delivers action-packed scenes better.
3. Alita: Battle Angel (2019)
In a futuristic world, a teen cyborg rediscovers her true nature as she searches for her real identity.
Rosa Salazar voices and acts out the fully animated cyborg teen Alita, as she navigates through real-world elements in a story set in 2563. This cyberpunk story focuses on how she suddenly exhibits warrior-like moves as her body slowly makes her remember her past life. Robert Rodriguez directed this James Cameron-produced tale.
However, the filmās lack of box office pull indicates that audiences may not be ready for films mixing seamless animation and live-action just yetāeven if done by cinematic giants.
4. The Hunger Games (2012)
In a nation divided by class-based oppressive districts, a pair of district representatives are required to join a televised competition. Teenager Katniss fights for her life inside this arena.
Ā Jennifer Lawrence embraced this role that showcased how a seemingly powerless young person could fight the authorities while playing their game. Yet while inside this arena, sheās toughened up by obstacles while thinking of winning to protect her family at all costs. In this fight, her superpower is her will to survive.
The movieās popularity continued with its equally powerful sequels, showing how audiences worldwide support stories about opposing tyrannical rulers.
5. X-Men: First Class (2011)
Before the X-Men were a formal team, Charles Xavier meets young mutants and gathers them in the 1960s.
Going back in time to trace how Magneto and Professor X once started as good friends, this story focuses on how Charles encouraged younger mutants to believe in themselves and taught them how to harness their powers for good. However, Erik had other plans.
At a time when superheroes have been getting their individual origin stories, this film presents a good angle to know the beginnings of some iconic X-Men figures. Its box-office win proves the audience is ready for such stories.
6. The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones (2013)
A New York City teen suddenly discovers that she has inherited supernatural powers from her unique demon-hunter mother.
Lily Collins plays Clary, the protagonist who starts as an unaware teen and is later introduced to a whole parallel world co-existing with the normal one she moves in. Harnessing her Shadowhunter powers, this journey of self-discovery involves fighting demons as a half-angel entity. The urban fantasy genre is effective in telling this kind of tale.
Such movies like The Darkest Minds highlight a visual spectacle while delving into the familiar, making audiences relate to their storylines better, like in this film.
7. Ready Player One (2018)
A worldwide virtual reality competition ensues where teens can win real fame and fortuneābut can also die for real.
Steven Spielberg adapted this sci-fi dystopian young adult novel for film, showcasing how escaping from reality is sometimes better than dealing with it. Disempowered teens in real life find strength and courage to survive their harsh realities through their digital avatarsāuntil they needed to find their strength when the virtual battle is taken offline.
Fans of ā80s pop culture nostalgia would get a great dose here, as Spielberg hid many āeaster eggsā in the virtual reality world. Happy hunting!
8. Ender’s Game (2013)
A teenager is recruited to a special military academy where they train future fighters of alien invasionsāand one teenās tactical genius might save the planet someday.
Asa Butterfieldās career-defining role as Ender pits his acting prowess with Hollywood A-listers Harrison Ford, Ben Kingsley, and Viola Davis. Fellow teens Hailee Steinfeld and Abigail Breslin lend formidable supporting roles as they showcase a story where young people could thrive amidst harsh environments to prepare them for darker fights of their lives.
These movies like The Darkest Minds present formidable stories that attract younger and older generations alike, both onscreen and off.
9. Chronicle (2012)
Three teens form a close-knit friendship after gaining telekinetic powers from an unknown crystal sourceāuntil these powers are abused.
Before their foray as costumed superheroes Green Goblin and Killmonger, a younger Dane DeHaan and Michael B. Jordan play ordinary Seattle-based teens who initially used their strange telekinetic powers to play pranks on people in their community. But they later discover that abusing such powers could lead to darker consequences.
When a film like this gets nominated for Best Science Fiction Film at the Saturn Awards, expect great sci-fi storytellingāwhich it delivers. And its box-office success also proves it.
10. Push (2009)
In a world where superhumans exist, authorities try to enhance their superpowers to use these humans as super-soldiers. A group of these special humans tries to fight against this evil objective.
A pre-Marvel Chris Evans plays the good guy in this film while a teen Dakota Fanning joins him as one of the superhumans with psychic abilities. While not exactly dystopian in nature, the story showcases how having such innate powers could also lead to abuse or misuse.
These movies like The Darkest Minds focus on how goodness still emanates even if humans are subjected to darker times or forces.